Penn State Students Linked to Cocaine Trafficking Ring, Fraternity Houses Targeted
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More than a dozen Penn State University students ran a cocaine trafficking ring that cut and packaged the potent drug mainly at two fraternity houses, authorities said on Monday.
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New York PostMore than a dozen Penn State frat brothers were busted for running a complex cocaine trafficking ring out of two separate fraternities that forced young pledges to cut and bag the drugs then sold to students, according to prosecutors.
NBC NewsMore than a dozen Penn State University students are accused of packaging and selling cocaine as part of a multistate drug operation.
Washington TimesInvestigators allege two senior fraternity members, Agostino Abbatiello and Thomas Robinson, were the main suppliers for the group, making regular trips to Philadelphia and New York for large quantities of cocaine, which was then cut and packaged primarily at the Delta Upsilon and Sigma Chi fraternity houses and distributed mainly to Penn State students.
Associated PressSTATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State fraternity pledges were made to cut and package cocaine for a drug ring that was run out of two off-campus frat houses, authorities said.
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The man accused of leading the operation, 24-year-old Agostino Abbatiello, surrendered on Tuesday after failing to appear for a scheduled arraignment on Monday on charges including possession with intent to deliver and conspiracy. He was ordered jailed without bail.
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New York PostAgostino Abbatiello surrendered himself to face charges of possession with intent to deliver (cocaine) and conspiracy after being busted for allegedly running a complex cocaine trafficking ring out of two separate fraternities.
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Mr. Abbatiello and Mr. Robinson, along with Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat, are charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses. A fifth defendant, Robert Zanolla, faces a felony conspiracy charge, along with charges of criminal use of a communication facility and related misdemeanors, according to the attorney general’s office. Eight other student-aged defendants face misdemeanor counts of possession and paraphernalia: Liam Smith, Michael Brogno, Kaden Howe, Connor Hurleigh, Seth Beardsley, Kyle Ridpath, Daniel Price and Charles Wiseman.
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NBC NewsAbbatiello, Robinson and two other students — identified as Mohammed Hurabi and Lars Zeepvat — were charged with felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity and other related offenses.
New York PostAbbatiello, Robinson, Mohammed Huraibi, and Lars Zeepvat face felony charges including corrupt organizations, conspiracy, and dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity.
The Guardian USAnother defendant is charged with felony conspiracy and criminal use of a communication facility, as well as related misdemeanors. Eight other “student-aged” defendants face misdemeanor counts of paraphernalia and possession.
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In a statement posted on Penn State’s website, a spokesperson wrote that Delta Upsilon was placed on interim suspension amid an investigation from the school’s Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response. The spokesperson also wrote that Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization and that it operates outside of Penn State’s support and oversight.
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New York PostPenn State has since suspended Delta Upsilon while it investigates the frat and said Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and opperates outside its supervision.
Washington TimesPenn State confirmed the criminal allegations against current and former students and said it is placing Delta Upsilon on interim suspension while the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response investigates, and that Sigma Chi is not a recognized organization and operates outside of the university’s support and oversight.
Associated PressCourt documents did not list a lawyer who could speak on Robinson’s behalf. Penn State said it placed Delta Upsilon on interim suspension, noting Sigma Chi is not recognized by the university and is not subject to its oversight.
The Guardian USBoth of the fraternities linked to the case announced by Sunday were off campus. Delta Upsilon, which Penn State placed on interim probation pending a university investigation, told the AP that the fraternity was aware of law enforcement allegations and that alleged Delta Upsilon-linked participants were thrown out or suspended if they didn’t first resign.
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“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice president for Student Affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can. We will continue to enhance our efforts around health and safety and hazing educational efforts for all our organizations.”
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Washington Times“We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students,” said Andrea Dowhower, vice president for student affairs. “Criminal activity, including hazing, such as this has no place at our institution, and we will cooperate with law enforcement in any way we can.”
The Guardian USAndrea Dowhower, Penn State’s vice-president for student affairs, said in a statement: “We are horrified by these serious allegations against current and former students.”
5 details only one outlet reported
Independent claims that didn't surface elsewhere in our corpus. Treat as supplementary — not corroborated across outlets.
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01 New York Post Shot for the college ride-sharing app Fetii, the video takes voyeurs (and, potentially, prosecutors) on a romp through the reported drug den.
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02 The Guardian US There were two main suppliers in the group who made “regular” trips to New York and Philadelphia “for large quantities of cocaine,” the agency said. Prosecutors said that four defendants face charges involving “felony corrupt organizations, conspiracy, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activity, and related offenses”.
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03 NBC News Now Playing Penn State Frat Brothers Charged in Alleged Cocaine Trafficking 00:39 UP NEXT Dad-Son Duo Build New Farm Stand for Woman After It's Stolen 01:24 Move Over Porsches and Corvettes, Everyday Classics Are Back 04:08 Jeanie Buss Fights Brothers Over Plan to Sell Stake in Lakers 02:52 Two Separate Planes Blow Tires at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport 00:32 Primary Candidates With the Same Name Sparks Confusion 02:47 Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman as Iran Negotiation Period Ends 01:37 New Details Emerge on Hayden Panettiere’s Sudden Death 02:29 Severe Storms Continue in Midwest Amid Flooding Cleanup 03:17 Former MLB Pitcher Tommy John Dies at 83 00:25 Meet the Mom Behind Cardio Work Out That Creates Community 05:17 New Chick-fil-A Offerings, Pizza Shop Inspires 'Wall of Need,' More 04:50 How a 3-Generation Fruit Stand Became the No. 1 Pie Shop in US 04:51 Meet Jinny Lu, the 2026 Winner of the World’s Ugliest Dog Contest 03:32 TODAY Celebrates First Day of School at Westfield Middle in Indiana 02:49 Video Shows Woman Landing Perfectly in Firetruck Rescue Basket 00:37 Luigi Mangione Seeks Murder Case Dismissal on Double Jeopardy 02:45 Students Return to Class After Virginia State University Shooting 00:23 Military Member Surprises Grandma on Her Last Day of Chemo 01:07 Dolly Parton Speaks Out About Her Health After Missing Big Event 03:02
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04 Associated Press A message seeking comment was left for Abbatiello’s lawyer. According to court documents, the drug ring operated in 2023 and 2024, fueled by bulk quantities of cocaine that two of the charged men obtained from contacts in Philadelphia and New York.
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05 Washington Times Thirteen of the defendants were Penn State students at or around the time of the alleged conduct, in 2023 and 2024, while the 14th defendant is the father of a student and is charged with tampering with evidence and hindering the investigation, Mr. Sunday’s office said.
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Sources (5)
- guardian
- nbc
- nypost
- washtimes
- ap